Broadway Bares Solo Strips Cancels Spring Event

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has canceled its Broadway Bares Solo Strips event, originally scheduled for a performance on May 10 at 42West.

The last-minute cancellation is a response to an April 23 New York Times article and April 24 follow-up post, reporting that presidential nominee and same-sex marriage foe Ted Cruz was hosted by gay hoteliers Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass. The pair created Out NYC, a hotel that caters to gay patrons and houses the 42West performance space where Broadway Bares Solo Strips was slated to take place.

Executive director Tom Violaon has issued the following statement on the BC/EFA website:

"We cannot in good conscience hold an event at a venue whose owners have alienated our community…We do business with and accept fundraising support from a variety of people across a wide spectrum of political and religious affiliations. The rich diversity of our community makes what we do together so special. It is a rare instance where the actions of a donor negatively impacts us as an organization and potentially jeopardizes our relationship with others whose support is integral to our success. But when it does occur, in a way that’s blatantly against all we stand and work for, we can’t pretend it doesn’t come with consequences. Silence is not a neutral position. It is complicit. This is not about partisan politics or punishment. This is about doing what’s right to ultimately ensure that our commitment to the men, women and children we serve cannot be questioned."

Ticket holders will be contacted by email, and additional questions can be directed to Cat Domiano at domiano@broadwaycares.org.

The next Broadway Bares event will be Broadway Bares Fire Island on May 30 at Whyte Hall's Brandon Fradd Theater in Fire Island Pines.